home
RSS
Stop selling higher dose Alzheimer's drug, group says
May 18th, 2011
05:05 PM ET

Stop selling higher dose Alzheimer's drug, group says

A specific dose of Alzheimer’s drug should be pulled from the market because it poses a risk to patients, according to a consumer  group.

The drug, donepezil, sold under the brand Aricept, is administered in several doses – the highest being 23 milligrams – for patients with moderate to severe Alzheimer’s disease.

It is prescribed to improve mental function, such as memory, attention and reasoning by increasing a brain chemical. Aricept which is taken daily,  could slow the mental decline, but it does not cure or prevent Alzheimer's. 

The Public Citizen’s Health Research Group called the 23-milligram dose of Aricept “significantly more toxic” than the 10-milligram dose and said it  “should be immediately withdrawn from the market.”

The group says that the drug in higher dose compared with the 10-milligrams could pose increased adverse effects such as slowed pulse rate, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, urinary incontinence, fatigue, dizziness and agitation.  The group also said the higher dose does not appear to give any benefits to the patients.

Three stages of Alzheimer's

Patients often stop taking the higher dose because of its strong side effects such as vomiting. And Alzheimer’s patients are particularly sensitive to vomiting because it can lead to other problems such as pneumonia, massive gastrointestinal bleeding, esophageal rupture and even death, the group said.

In response, Pfizer, which co-promotes Aricept with another company, Eisai, wrote in an emailed statement: "We are reviewing the petition and will respond accordingly; however, it is important to note that the Aricept (donepezil HCl) 23 mg tablet has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of moderate-to-severe Alzheimer’s disease. "

Dr. James Lah, director of the cognitive neurology program at Emory University"s Department of Neurology, regularly prescribes Aricept to patients, but doesn't prescribe the 23-milligram dose.

“Being Americans, the notion is that bigger is better, more is better... it’s simply not true in this particular instance,” Lah said.

He said he was concerned when the FDA approved the 23-milligram version.

“There is very little evidence that it’s superior,” Lah, an Alzheimer's clinician and associate professor said.  “There is a lot of evidence that it’s worse in terms of causing side effects.  If you look at the one study, only one clinical trial reported about the 23 versus 10 milligram Aricept. The results were entirely mixed in terms of effectiveness.”

 Post by:
Filed under: Alzheimer's
Next entry »
« Previous entry
soundoff (35,740 Responses)
  1. Wilbert Stevenson

    As I website possessor I conceive the subject material here is very wonderful, thanks for your efforts.

    http://www.froleprotrem.com/

    March 24, 2021 at 10:38 | Report abuse | Reply
  2. Abel Jahncke

    You really make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find this matter to be actually something that I think I would never understand. It seems too complicated and extremely broad for me. I'm looking forward for your next post, I’ll try to get the hang of it!

    http://www.froleprotrem.com/

    March 24, 2021 at 10:38 | Report abuse | Reply
  3. Felicia Tremmel

    Hi my loved one! I want to say that this article is amazing, great written and come with approximately all significant infos. I?¦d like to peer more posts like this .

    http://www.froleprotrem.com/

    March 24, 2021 at 10:39 | Report abuse | Reply
  4. Loren Steinhauser

    I¦ve recently started a site, the info you offer on this website has helped me greatly. Thanks for all of your time & work.

    http://www.froleprotrem.com/

    March 24, 2021 at 10:43 | Report abuse | Reply
  5. Isaiah Yerbich

    I enjoy you because of your whole efforts on this blog. My aunt take interest in engaging in research and it's really easy to see why. We all hear all of the powerful medium you render precious things on this website and as well as cause response from some others about this topic then our favorite princess is in fact becoming educated a great deal. Enjoy the remaining portion of the year. You are doing a terrific job.

    http://www.froleprotrem.com/

    March 24, 2021 at 10:50 | Report abuse | Reply
  6. Josephina Hildreth

    Saved as a favorite, I really like your blog!

    http://www.froleprotrem.com/

    March 24, 2021 at 10:52 | Report abuse | Reply
  7. Juliette Clerkley

    I like the valuable information you provide in your articles. I’ll bookmark your weblog and check again here regularly. I'm quite sure I will learn many new stuff right here! Best of luck for the next!

    http://www.froleprotrem.com/

    March 24, 2021 at 10:53 | Report abuse | Reply
  8. Sanford Delnero

    I couldn’t resist commenting

    http://www.froleprotrem.com/

    March 24, 2021 at 10:54 | Report abuse | Reply
  9. Ramon Capan

    I’m not positive the place you are getting your info, however great topic. I must spend some time studying more or understanding more. Thank you for great information I used to be looking for this information for my mission.

    http://www.froleprotrem.com/

    March 24, 2021 at 10:59 | Report abuse | Reply
  10. Gerry Timson

    Admiring the hard work you put into your site and detailed information you offer. It's great to come across a blog every once in a while that isn't the same outdated rehashed information. Wonderful read! I've saved your site and I'm adding your RSS feeds to my Google account.

    http://www.froleprotrem.com/

    March 24, 2021 at 11:09 | Report abuse | Reply
  11. Dong Barscewski

    Hello there, just become aware of your blog thru Google, and located that it is truly informative. I’m going to be careful for brussels. I’ll be grateful in case you continue this in future. Lots of people will probably be benefited out of your writing. Cheers!

    http://www.froleprotrem.com/

    March 24, 2021 at 11:11 | Report abuse | Reply
  12. Roberto Laske

    Excellent site you have here but I was curious about if you knew of any user discussion forums that cover the same topics talked about here? I'd really like to be a part of online community where I can get advice from other knowledgeable people that share the same interest. If you have any suggestions, please let me know. Thanks!

    http://www.froleprotrem.com/

    March 24, 2021 at 11:13 | Report abuse | Reply
  13. Loura Maden

    Thanks , I have just been looking for information approximately this topic for a long time and yours is the greatest I have discovered till now. However, what concerning the conclusion? Are you certain concerning the supply?

    http://www.froleprotrem.com/

    March 24, 2021 at 11:14 | Report abuse | Reply
  14. Yer Lorino

    You actually make it seem so easy along with your presentation but I find this matter to be actually one thing that I believe I would never understand. It sort of feels too complicated and extremely large for me. I'm taking a look ahead to your subsequent put up, I will attempt to get the dangle of it!

    http://www.froleprotrem.com/

    March 24, 2021 at 11:16 | Report abuse | Reply
  15. Debroah Bogus

    I’ve read several good stuff here. Certainly worth bookmarking for revisiting. I surprise how much effort you put to create such a magnificent informative website.

    http://www.froleprotrem.com/

    March 24, 2021 at 11:19 | Report abuse | Reply
  16. Krystle Theo

    of course like your website but you have to take a look at the spelling on quite a few of your posts. Several of them are rife with spelling problems and I find it very bothersome to inform the truth nevertheless I will definitely come again again.

    http://www.froleprotrem.com/

    March 24, 2021 at 11:21 | Report abuse | Reply
  17. Domenic Nembhard

    I love your blog.. very nice colors & theme. Did you create this website yourself? Plz reply back as I’m looking to create my own blog and would like to know wheere u got this from. thanks

    http://www.froleprotrem.com/

    March 24, 2021 at 11:23 | Report abuse | Reply
  18. Jacques Prudhomme

    Great write-up, I am regular visitor of one?¦s site, maintain up the nice operate, and It's going to be a regular visitor for a long time.

    http://www.froleprotrem.com/

    March 24, 2021 at 11:24 | Report abuse | Reply
  19. Elene Malia

    I’m not that much of a internet reader to be honest but your blogs really nice, keep it up! I'll go ahead and bookmark your website to come back in the future. Cheers

    http://www.froleprotrem.com/

    March 24, 2021 at 11:27 | Report abuse | Reply
  20. Latricia Housholder

    Nice post. I learn something tougher on totally different blogs everyday. It'll all the time be stimulating to read content from different writers and practice a little one thing from their store. I’d prefer to make use of some with the content on my blog whether or not you don’t mind. Natually I’ll give you a hyperlink in your web blog. Thanks for sharing.

    http://www.froleprotrem.com/

    March 24, 2021 at 11:28 | Report abuse | Reply
  21. Jesse Rafter

    Some truly great content on this web site, thanks for contribution. "The spirit is the true self." by Marcus Tullius Cicero.

    http://www.froleprotrem.com/

    March 24, 2021 at 11:29 | Report abuse | Reply
  22. Sallie Susana

    Youre so cool! I dont suppose Ive read something like this before. So good to find any person with some original ideas on this subject. realy thanks for beginning this up. this web site is one thing that is needed on the web, somebody with a bit originality. useful job for bringing something new to the internet!

    http://www.froleprotrem.com/

    March 24, 2021 at 11:29 | Report abuse | Reply
  23. Phebe Knesel

    I¦ve recently started a site, the information you provide on this website has helped me greatly. Thank you for all of your time & work.

    http://www.froleprotrem.com/

    March 24, 2021 at 11:30 | Report abuse | Reply
  24. Kayce Gorence

    Perfectly pent subject matter, Really enjoyed examining.

    http://www.froleprotrem.com/

    March 24, 2021 at 11:34 | Report abuse | Reply
  25. Caridad Hosey

    Excellent read, I just passed this onto a friend who was doing a little research on that. And he actually bought me lunch since I found it for him smile Thus let me rephrase that: Thank you for lunch! "The guy with the biggest stomach will be the first to take off his shirt at a baseball game." by Glenn Dickey.

    http://www.froleprotrem.com/

    March 24, 2021 at 11:38 | Report abuse | Reply
  26. Gearldine Lafemina

    Yeah bookmaking this wasn't a bad determination great post! .

    http://www.froleprotrem.com/

    March 24, 2021 at 11:45 | Report abuse | Reply
  27. Lenard Pilbin

    Hello would you mind letting me know which webhost you're using? I've loaded your blog in 3 completely different browsers and I must say this blog loads a lot faster then most. Can you recommend a good internet hosting provider at a reasonable price? Cheers, I appreciate it!

    http://www.froleprotrem.com/

    March 24, 2021 at 11:45 | Report abuse | Reply
  28. Lois Palhegyi

    You really make it seem so easy along with your presentation but I to find this matter to be actually something which I feel I might never understand. It sort of feels too complicated and extremely broad for me. I am having a look forward to your subsequent submit, I will attempt to get the hold of it!

    http://www.froleprotrem.com/

    March 24, 2021 at 11:47 | Report abuse | Reply
  29. Sindy Dagrella

    Fantastic site you have here but I was curious about if you knew of any message boards that cover the same topics discussed here? I'd really like to be a part of group where I can get feed-back from other knowledgeable people that share the same interest. If you have any suggestions, please let me know. Thanks!

    http://www.froleprotrem.com/

    March 24, 2021 at 11:53 | Report abuse | Reply
  30. Sherrell Biron

    I appreciate, cause I found just what I was looking for. You've ended my four day long hunt! God Bless you man. Have a nice day. Bye

    http://www.froleprotrem.com/

    March 24, 2021 at 11:53 | Report abuse | Reply
  31. Emilia Sances

    Great work! This is the type of info that should be shared around the net. Shame on the search engines for not positioning this post higher! Come on over and visit my website . Thanks =)

    http://www.froleprotrem.com/

    March 24, 2021 at 11:56 | Report abuse | Reply
  32. Belia Burney

    Hello, I think your blog might be having browser compatibility issues. When I look at your blog in Safari, it looks fine but when opening in Internet Explorer, it has some overlapping. I just wanted to give you a quick heads up! Other then that, awesome blog!

    http://www.froleprotrem.com/

    March 24, 2021 at 11:58 | Report abuse | Reply
  33. Marvin Hergenrader

    Definitely believe that which you stated. Your favorite justification seemed to be on the net the simplest thing to be aware of. I say to you, I certainly get irked while people think about worries that they just do not know about. You managed to hit the nail upon the top and defined out the whole thing without having side effect , people could take a signal. Will probably be back to get more. Thanks

    http://www.froleprotrem.com/

    March 24, 2021 at 11:58 | Report abuse | Reply
  34. Nu Kreisberg

    I?¦ve recently started a website, the information you provide on this web site has helped me greatly. Thanks for all of your time & work.

    http://www.froleprotrem.com/

    March 24, 2021 at 11:59 | Report abuse | Reply
  35. Allen Pasket

    I wanted to thank you for this great read!! I definitely enjoying every little bit of it I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff you post…

    http://www.froleprotrem.com/

    March 24, 2021 at 12:03 | Report abuse | Reply
  36. Lacy Aird

    Thank you for the sensible critique. Me and my neighbor were just preparing to do a little research on this. We got a grab a book from our local library but I think I learned more from this post. I'm very glad to see such great information being shared freely out there.

    http://www.froleprotrem.com/

    March 24, 2021 at 12:03 | Report abuse | Reply
  37. Johnny Oheron

    I like this weblog very much so much excellent info .

    http://www.froleprotrem.com/

    March 24, 2021 at 12:06 | Report abuse | Reply
  38. Sherrell Biron

    Thank you, I've recently been looking for information approximately this subject for a while and yours is the best I have discovered so far. But, what about the conclusion? Are you positive concerning the supply?

    http://www.froleprotrem.com/

    March 24, 2021 at 12:07 | Report abuse | Reply
  39. Cornelius Licursi

    I dugg some of you post as I cogitated they were extremely helpful invaluable

    http://www.froleprotrem.com/

    March 24, 2021 at 12:11 | Report abuse | Reply
  40. Sherrell Biron

    Hello! Do you know if they make any plugins to help with SEO? I'm trying to get my blog to rank for some targeted keywords but I'm not seeing very good success. If you know of any please share. Kudos!

    http://www.froleprotrem.com/

    March 24, 2021 at 12:14 | Report abuse | Reply
  41. Alison Aoay

    It is really a nice and helpful piece of information. I am glad that you shared this helpful information with us. Please keep us informed like this. Thanks for sharing.

    http://www.froleprotrem.com/

    March 24, 2021 at 12:24 | Report abuse | Reply
  42. Demetrius Vanschuyver

    very nice post, i certainly love this website, keep on it

    http://www.froleprotrem.com/

    March 24, 2021 at 12:28 | Report abuse | Reply
  43. Harrison Delbo

    I do trust all the ideas you have offered in your post. They are really convincing and can certainly work. Still, the posts are very brief for starters. Could you please prolong them a bit from subsequent time? Thank you for the post.

    http://www.froleprotrem.com/

    March 24, 2021 at 12:30 | Report abuse | Reply
  44. Peter Trull

    I wanted to thank you for this great read!! I definitely enjoying every little bit of it I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff you post…

    http://www.froleprotrem.com/

    March 24, 2021 at 12:30 | Report abuse | Reply
  45. Sharie Gauntlett

    Hi my loved one! I want to say that this post is awesome, nice written and include approximately all vital infos. I would like to see extra posts like this .

    http://www.froleprotrem.com/

    March 24, 2021 at 12:36 | Report abuse | Reply
  46. jarge Playmn

    Порно Фильмы – Огромная онлайн коллекция с бесплатным порно видео и ежедневными обновлениеми на любой вкус. Русское, домашнее, секс видео зрелых, анал, красивые девушки, бдсм, видео молодых, жены, измены, сиськи и другие категории. Смотреть порно фильмы можно как на компьютере так и на мобильном телефоне!
    prolesbi.com

    March 24, 2021 at 12:37 | Report abuse | Reply
  47. Elmer Siepker

    I like what you guys are up too. This kind of clever work and reporting! Keep up the terrific works guys I've included you guys to blogroll.

    http://www.froleprotrem.com/

    March 24, 2021 at 12:39 | Report abuse | Reply
  48. Antoine Pace

    Thank you for the good writeup. It in reality was a entertainment account it. Look complicated to far delivered agreeable from you! By the way, how can we keep in touch?

    http://www.froleprotrem.com/

    March 24, 2021 at 12:40 | Report abuse | Reply
  49. Deshawn Lidtke

    I really like your writing style, great information, appreciate it for posting : D.

    http://www.froleprotrem.com/

    March 24, 2021 at 12:49 | Report abuse | Reply
  50. Lashay Shugrue

    Lovely just what I was searching for.Thanks to the author for taking his time on this one.

    http://www.froleprotrem.com/

    March 24, 2021 at 12:50 | Report abuse | Reply
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 134 135 136 137 138 139 140 141 142 143 144 145 146 147 148 149 150 151 152 153 154 155 156 157 158 159 160 161 162 163 164 165 166 167 168 169 170 171 172 173 174 175 176 177 178 179 180 181 182 183 184 185 186 187 188 189 190 191 192 193 194 195 196 197 198 199 200 201 202 203 204 205 206 207 208 209 210 211 212 213 214 215 216 217 218 219 220 221 222 223 224 225 226 227 228 229 230 231 232 233 234 235 236 237 238 239 240 241 242 243 244 245 246 247 248 249 250 251 252 253 254 255 256 257 258 259 260 261 262 263 264 265 266 267 268 269 270 271 272 273 274 275 276 277 278 279 280 281 282 283 284 285 286 287 288 289 290 291 292 293 294 295 296 297 298 299 300 301 302 303 304 305 306 307 308 309 310 311 312 313 314 315 316 317 318 319 320 321 322 323 324 325 326 327 328 329 330 331 332 333 334 335 336 337 338 339 340 341 342 343 344 345 346 347 348 349 350 351 352 353 354 355 356 357 358 359 360 361 362 363 364 365 366 367 368 369 370 371 372 373 374 375 376 377 378 379 380 381 382 383 384 385 386 387 388 389 390 391 392 393 394 395 396 397 398 399 400 401 402 403 404 405 406 407 408 409 410 411 412 413 414 415 416 417 418 419 420 421 422 423 424 425 426 427 428 429 430 431 432 433 434 435 436 437 438 439 440 441 442 443 444 445 446 447 448 449 450 451 452 453 454 455 456 457 458 459 460 461 462 463 464 465 466 467 468 469 470 471 472 473 474 475 476 477 478 479 480 481 482 483 484 485 486 487 488 489 490 491 492 493 494 495 496 497 498 499 500 501 502 503 504 505 506 507 508 509 510 511 512 513 514 515 516 517 518 519 520 521 522 523 524 525 526 527 528 529 530 531 532 533 534 535 536 537 538 539 540 541 542 543 544 545 546 547 548 549 550 551 552 553 554 555 556 557 558 559 560 561 562 563 564 565 566 567 568 569 570 571 572 573 574 575 576 577 578 579 580 581 582 583 584 585 586 587 588 589 590 591 592 593 594 595 596 597 598 599 600 601 602 603 604 605 606 607 608 609 610 611 612 613 614 615 616 617 618 619 620 621 622 623 624 625 626 627 628 629 630 631 632 633 634 635 636 637 638 639 640 641 642 643 644 645 646 647 648 649 650 651 652 653 654 655 656 657 658 659 660 661 662 663 664 665 666 667 668 669 670 671 672 673 674 675 676 677 678 679 680 681 682 683 684 685 686 687 688 689 690 691 692 693 694 695 696 697 698 699 700 701 702 703 704 705 706 707 708 709 710 711 712 713 714 715

Leave a Reply to Davidssasw

Click here to cancel reply.

 

CNN welcomes a lively and courteous discussion as long as you follow the Rules of Conduct set forth in our Terms of Service. Comments are not pre-screened before they post. You agree that anything you post may be used, along with your name and profile picture, in accordance with our Privacy Policy and the license you have granted pursuant to our Terms of Service.

Next entry »
« Previous entry
Advertisement
About this blog

Get a behind-the-scenes look at the latest stories from CNN Chief Medical Correspondent, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Senior Medical Correspondent Elizabeth Cohen and the CNN Medical Unit producers. They'll share news and views on health and medical trends - info that will help you take better care of yourself and the people you love.